Regal XI defeat Wolf’s Warriors for title

May 20, 2009 Sports

Regal XI defeated Wolf’s Warriors and carted off the $25,000 top prize when the Memorex Enterprises Countrywide 15 overs Softball Cricket Championships culminated. The winners also earned the first lien on the trophy, while the runners up received ten thousand and a trophy.

In a match of fluctuating fortunes, Regal XI won the toss and invited Wolf’s Warriors to take first strike.

The Warriors were soon in trouble losing the wicket of their captain and experienced opener, Amrit “Rocky” Jairam in the second over with just 3 runs on the board. The other opener, Balbinder Persaud, batted valiantly but only managed 21 runs before he was next out with the score on 28.

The other batsmen, with the exception of Narine Doodnarine (27) and Ganesh Narine (17), offered little resistance. Their dismissal witnessed another slump resulting in an eventual score of 101 in 14.5 overs.

Regal XI started their innings with an impressive 22 within the first three overs until the opposition introduced Timur Mohamed into the attack. He created quite a few problems and eventually accounted for both openers. The other batsmen struggled as the runs dried up.

It took a fighting unbeaten innings of 21 by Skipper Khalid Haslim, with support from Lance Adams (15 not out) to see the Regal XI to the winning total of 102-6 in 13.4 overs. Wolf Warriors,’ Timur Mohamed, 3-16 from 3 overs, was the pick of the bowlers, while Lakeram Roopnarine (4-22 from 3 overs) was Regal’s best bowler.

87 teams participated in the countrywide tournament. Vice President of the Guyana Softball League congratulated the various winners, while lauding the support rendered by the corporate entities. He said that such support impacted positively and was integral to the development of the sport.

Meanwhile, in matches played earlier in the day, Demerara XI made light work of their Essequibo counterparts, defeating them by 4 wickets. Scores in the match were Essequibo XI 87 all out in 15 overs.

Top scorers were Jerome Trotman (18) and Norman Federicks (15). Rajin Mohamed, who took 2-15 from 3 overs, was eventually adjudged Man of The Match.

Demerara replied with 90-6 in 11.2 overs with Diaram Persaud unbeaten on 20 and Mark Harold (20) being the principal scorers. The top bowler was Ehwaas Baskh with 2-16 from 3 overs.

In a matchup between the Over-40s West Demerara XI defeated their Georgetown counterparts by 50 runs.

West Demerara XI batted first and scored 118-9 in 12 overs with Rambharose Beharry stroking a top score of 35. Bowling for the Georgetown XI Vicky Ramsaywack with 2-23 from 3 overs and Rahaman Khan 2-33 from 3 overs were successful.

In reply, Georgetown Over-40 were bundled out for 68 in their 12 overs with only Avenash Persaud (21) reaching double figures. Mohamed Saffie (3-24) led West Demerara’s bowling. He was named Man of the Match.

Several players received trophies for outstanding performances. Kapil Singh of Regal XI copped the prize for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament, while 10-year old, Mahendra Persaud, received a special award for being the youngest player in the tournament. Other teams received trophies for reaching the quarters and semis.